Who You Callin’ Short?

There’s something about a dog with stumpy legs that makes us invariably happy. It doesn’t walk so much as it waddles, and its head appears so disproportionately large in comparison to its body that it looks like it could tumble rump over teakettle at any second. And yet, somehow, it works!

We recently had the pleasure of attending Corgi Beach Day (AKA Corgchella) in Huntington Beach and got to see well over a thousand Corgis having a little fun in the sun! You wouldn’t believe some of the outfits they were showing off! There were Corgis dressed as mermaids, Corgis in hats, Corgis with sunglasses, Corgis in backpacks… I dare say some of the Corgi’s were dressed well enough for a visit to the Queen herself.

Speaking of the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II is well known for her love of Corgis. In fact, she’s owned more than thirty over the course of her life. She met her first Corgi, Dookie, all the way back in 1933, and from then on, she was hooked!

Did you know?

Corgi literally translates to “dwarf dog” (cor means dwarf and gi means dog). Tenth century Welsh farmers began breeding Corgis as herding animals, taking advantage of the creature’s smile size and agility as a means to steer their flocks. They’re the perfect size to weave in and around cow hooves, nipping at heels and easily darting away from any flailing kicks.

While the Welsh were enjoying their Corgis, not too far away, the Germans were breeding a stubby-legged dog of their own: Dachshunds!

These little guys are remarkably fierce. So fierce, in fact, they were trained to hunt badger. Their short legs and long body made them the ideal shape for wriggling into the dens of burrowing mammals. These days, Dachshunds are less likely to be hunting badger and more likely to be catching rats. There’s an entire squad of terriers and Dachshunds in New York City dedicated to clearing areas of disease-carrying rodents.

Like Corgi’s Dachshunds are clever and quick, and certainly not to be underestimated.

And we can’t have a blog about short-legged dogs without mentioning Frenchies! According to Mental Floss, they’re actually the 4th most popular breed in America. Unfortunately, their squat frame and bulbous heads come with a variety of health issues, including trouble breathing, an inability to copulate naturally (almost all French Bulldogs are the result of artificial insemination), and difficulty giving birth. That being said, they’re one of the most companionable breeds out there and make incredibly loving pets.

When Ruth came in with her three bulldogs, Teddy, Auggie, and Bubba, she told us that after she got her first Frenchie, she was absolutely hooked. All three were sweet as could be, but Auggie was partial to sleeping in the corner for most of the shoot.

Did you know?
Frenchies will mope! If you're too critical of a Frenchie and scold it harshly, the little guy will take your words to heart, sulking around the house until he feels better. For those interested in getting a French Bulldog, its good to keep in mind that they respond much better to positive reinforcement than reprimanding.

If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen a few of our "Flying Frenchies". They're one of our favorite series and always a blast to create! Check out just a few of our favorite Frechies....

Thanks so much for reading! Check in next week for another Charlie Nunn update!